Replace kitchen drawer runners

Swap worn kitchen drawer runners for a new matching pair so the drawer slides smoothly again.

KR-01Empty the drawer and set upTake everything out of the drawer and wipe it out. Clear the worktop or floor nearby so you have somewhere to lay the drawer down. Get a screwdriver or driver, a pencil and a tape measure ready before you start.

KR-02Pull the drawer out and check the old runnersPull the drawer fully open. Most runners let you lift the drawer slightly and slide it off the rails, sometimes with a small clip or lever to release a soft-close mechanism. Look at how the old runner is fixed to the cabinet side and to the drawer side, and note whether it's a simple roller type or a ball-bearing type, and whether it sits on the side of the drawer or underneath it.

KR-03Measure up and buy the right replacementMeasure the full length of the old runner and the depth of the drawer box, not just the cabinet opening. Buy a matching pair, same length and same type — ball-bearing runners cost more but cope better with heavy pots and cutlery. Buy the same style of screws if the old ones are worn or missing.

1 pair · Drawer runner pair (side-mount, ball-bearing, 450mm)

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1 pack · Self-tapping screws 4mm x 16mm (pack)

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KR-04Remove the old runner sectionsUnscrew the runner section from the cabinet side, keeping the screws to one side. Do the same for the section fixed to the drawer. Keep the two old runners together in a pair so you don't mix up left and right.

KR-05Fit the new runner to the cabinet sideHold the new runner rail against the cabinet side in the same position as the old one. If the holes line up, screw straight through. If they don't, mark new fixing points with a pencil and drill a 2mm pilot hole first — this stops the chipboard splitting. Screw the rail on, keeping it level front to back.

1 set · Drill/driver bit set

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KR-06Fit the matching section to the drawerFix the second runner section to the side of the drawer box, again lining it up with the old fixing points where you can. Drill a 2mm pilot hole for any new screw position before driving the screw in, so the drawer side doesn't split.

KR-07Refit the drawer and test itLine the drawer runner up with the cabinet rail and slide it in until it clicks or seats fully. Open and close the drawer a few times to check it runs smoothly with no catching or rubbing.

KR-08Adjust, clean up and refill the drawerMost runners have a small adjustment screw for depth or side-to-side alignment — use it if the drawer front doesn't sit flush with the cabinet. Vacuum out any dust or old screws from inside the cabinet, then put the drawer's contents back.

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